Bali Anti-climax

Kuta Beach in Bali is a popular surfing beach for australian tourists and Indonesian locals alike © Soren Egeberg // Zeamonkey Images

Finally arrived in Bali after a week on the road. When you mention the name Bali, most people who has never been here, will think of a beach paradise with white sandy beaches to soak up the sun. If you expect this, look elsewhere. Apart from a few spots in the south, Bali beaches mostly consists of black pepple stone and coarse sand.  I’m not here to lie on the beach, but to dip below the waves in scuba gear carrying full DLSR gear protected by a waterproof aluminum housing with strobes attached.

The highlight of this trip was to visit Komodo Island and shoot some of the most interesting marinelife this planet has to offer, BUT thanks to our lovely online service Paypal, this is not gonna happen. Paypal decided at this critical moment to place my account under review because of my payment for this trip 994 Euro. Unable to provide all their required paperwork from my current location in Indonesia my payment cannot be completed and I’m forced to cancel my trip of a lifetime. Thanks Paypal, I’ll never require your services ever again!

Barnaby Caddick ready for take off with his paraglider on the hills above Candidasa, Bali Indonesia. © Soren Egeberg/Zeamonkey Images 

The day however opened my eyes to a new sport I’ve never tried before: Paragliding. A good friend of mine is currently in Bali and he invited me to come along to shoot with him and some friends for the day, in the foothills above the coastal town of Candidasa. It was awesome, and I’ve decided to take up paragliding starting with an 8 day course (replacing my long awaited Komodo-trip)to get my own license to fly and explore the photo opportunities in this area. I guess things happen for a reason…

Now I’ve landed safely in my usual hideaway the small village Jemeluk near Amed in the northeast of Bali. Some good friends live hear and it was great catching up – the next week will be spent underwater looking for seahorses and other small creatures. Time to dive!

A pair of colorful Harlequin Shrimp feeding on a sea star underwater in Bali, Indonesia. © Soren Egeberg/Zeamonkey Images

Back to Bali

Traditional outrigger fishing boats on the beach in Candidasa in northeast Bali, Indonesia. © Soren Egeberg // Zeamonkey Images

Tomorrow it’s time to return to Indonesia, my favorite playground when it comes to diving and photography. Almost a year has gone by since my last visit, way too long by the way, but somehow work always got in the way. Now it’s time.

The itinerary is pretty open, but a visit to my long time friends in the northeast of Bali just can’t be missed. A sleepy little villages just before Amed has been my base for diving and shooting on my last three visits to the Island of the Gods. Quiet and peaceful, with some amazing diving right off the beach 100m from my hotel door, what more can you ask for after a long year of working in Thailand. As a retreat it can’t be beat, feels like home away from home. BUMP! As i’m writing this, a motorbike just got knocked over on the street next to where i’m sitting writing this post. Driver seems unhurt, good news.

Not that Bali is much different, traffic on the main roads are chaotic at best, almost feels like riding a bike in a Playstation game, unreal. How I have survived so far is beyond me, but knowing myself, I’ll be on a bike in Balinese traffic once again in a few days.

Today is time for last preparations before flying out, yet I’m having a hard time getting out of Starbucks to buy the last few missing items. Converterplugs being one item and a Leatherman tool (old one was taken by Thai airport officials when I forgot to pack it in my checked luggage, rookie mistake. Finish my overpriced coffee in a minute and i’m off, next post from Bali.